Gephyrophillia | Watch This Space #69 - Prologue to Centauri

Centauri Characters, Story, and Elements: © and TM 2010 Jeff Harris

Originally, I had something else posted here, but considering the personal nature of that article, I chose to get rid of it. Also, you don't get many opportunities to write something new. But I've got to admit. You're definitely a reader of The X Bridge, and I salute you for that. Not many people read the archived stuff, but, apparently, your curiousity got the better of you. |

For that, a sneak preview of Centauri, a serialized story premiering in January 2011 on The X Bridge. Here's the scene. It's a year before the "Dawn" attack, a cataclysmic event that changed the world forever. It's a rare moment of peace. This is the prologue of the Wingless Angel, a black-cloaked figure who wields a fiery bo and a mellow demeanor. He is tempered by his faith, but since the death of his father and the disappearance of his one true love, he had been a loner, but somehow, he has attracted a quartet of like-minded young adults in the midst of a silent war. Man versus machine, and the one with the machines rule the planet. In the end, he will save the world and reveal the truth. But is he willing to make a sacrifice as the legend foretold?

Here's "Prologue of the Wingless Angel."

One of John Nathaniel James's last memories about his father was the time they went to a St. Patrick's Day parade. It was cold, and it wasn't quite St. Patrick's Day, just the day before because this year, it was on a Sunday. It was the last year before the Urthian thirteen-month calendar became permanent, so it was also the last time the parade would be held on a day other than March 17.

It was a couple of years before the Dawn, so, life was pretty normal for the time. However, by the time they found a good spot in the crowd, John could see his father with a worried look on his face.

"Aw, I knew we should have brought some lawn chairs or something," John said.

"I'm used to standing, son," his father said. "I do it every week at the church, so it's of no worry to me."

"So, why do you look so sad, father?"

John's father looked at his only son and told him what was on his mind.

"I'm worried about what's going to happen."

"What do you mean?"

"Look around you, John. This is your community. Everybody at the parade lives in this community. They live normal lives, go to work, go to school, and just enjoy life. They're willing to protect themselves from the common things that bother them, but one day, the world's going to need someone to protect them."

John looked at amazement at what his father had to say.

"What do you mean?"

"The world's going to need someone to speak up for them. They're going to need a protector. A guardian. A champion."

"Why couldn't you do it? I mean, everybody knows who you are and respects you."

"I'm not going to be here forever. Some day, I'll leave you."

"Hopefully, that won't be for a long time."

"Our time on this planet is not promised. Life is finite. I need you to make this promise for me, son."

"Okay."

"If the world ever needed protection, would you step up to be that protector? Would you defend, guard, and protect everyone, the weak, the broken, those that refuse to believe the truth, those that survive in the lost world.? Would you be a light in a world of darkness?"

"Yes."

"You didn't think of that too long."

"Didn't need to, father. You taught me everything I need to know in life, so I think I'll be ready."

"I know you'll be ready, John."

As John and his father continued watching a parade, a familiar face called John.

"Johnny?!"

It was Sakura Kintaro, a girl about three years older than John. She wouldn't admit it to John until a few years after the Dawn, but Sakura had a crush on John, and the feelings were more than mutual on John's part.

"Sakura. What are you doing here?"

"The same reason you're here, silly, to watch the parade. C'mon, let's go get a soda. Do you want one too, Reverand James?"

"No, dear, but thank you anyway," Reverand James said. "Be careful though, kids."

"We will," John said as he and Sakura ran off to get soda.

"What kind do you want to get?" Sakura asked.

"The same kind you like," John said. "Cherry."

As Reverend James looked at his son, he smiles and realizes that, at this moment, there is peace. It would be one of the last times that realization would be felt on the planet Urth.

*end transmission*

Jeff Harris
Webmaster/Creator, The X Bridge